Friday, January 20, 2012

Juan Figallo returns from injury

Juan Figallo

Argentina´s number one tighthead prop, Juan Figallo, has been confirmed on Montpellier´s bench for the sides Heineken Cup match vs Leinster this weekend. It is to be his first appearance for the club this season as he had to undergo knee surgery following the completion of Rugby World Cup 2011. Capable of playing both tighthead and loosehead prop and doing so at the highest level, Figallo offers Montpellier with an added advantage. He is certain to feature off the bench possibly as early as the start of the secondhalf. Despite being used by Argentina at tighthead prop he was Montpellier´s starting loosehead prop last season in the clubs groundbreaking campaign which saw the side reach the Top 14 Orange for the first time in history. Giorge Jgenti played tighthead prop in the final and will play in the position vs Leinster. He has been a solid performer but is not of the same standard as Figallo and did not make Georgia´s World Cup squad.

Figallo is one of six Argentine players who will feature for Montpellier. His will be joined on the bench by fellow frontrower Maximilano Bustos as well as inside centre Santiago Fernández. Three Argentine players are to start with Lucas González Amorosino named at fullback and Martín Bustos Moyano playing on the left wing and charged with the goalkickign responsibilities. The likely replacement for Mario Ledemsa, Agustín Creevy, will start the match at hooker. All six players are probable participants in The Rugby Championship and it could only be a matter of time before the Pumas trio of Figallo - Creevy - Bustos is the starting frontrow for Montpellier.